I see in a vision an African man working in a field. The field is large. The day is hot. He is weary from the many hours of toil. He works alone. There is no one to help him. I see him pause and straighten up from his labor. He wipes his brow with an old, faded piece of cloth. He looks around. There is so much work yet to do. The going is slow, sometimes tedious. He is tempted to quit. "The work is too hard he would say; there is no one to help me. I have done my share." But he does not give up. He will continue what he is doing. He put his hand to the plow and he will not turn back now. Once again he bends over and works with his hoe.
Now, I see another man coming to him from across the way. This man is different. He walks straight to the weary man and touches his shoulder. "I have been watching you," he says, "and I have come with a message for you. God sees your labor and your faithfulness. It will not go unrewarded. He has sent me to you to tell you to be strong, do not give up, your reward will be great. And He has also asked me to give to you this cup of cool water."
Many times I preached to pastors in Africa, knowing I could not do the work that they were doing. They are with their own people. They know the language, live in the culture. I was a stranger, of a different culture, language and color. But I could give them a cup of cool water in the name of the Lord. How refreshing it was to see them drink in the encouragement and resolve not to give up, but to be faithful in what God had called them to do.
Tuesday, December 23, 2008
WEEPING IS FOR A SEASON
Weeping may endure for the night, but joy comes in the morning. Weep now for the pain, the hurt, the sorrow. Cry for healing and rebuilding, but soon the weeping will be over. Time will come when the tears will be wiped away; then you will understand why the sorrow came and can see behind the pain that God has allowed. Then there will be cause to rejoice for even the tears. And even if you tried, you will not shed a tear for you will see why God was pleased to permit the suffering and you will understand and weep no more.
BE FAITHFUL NOW; DON'T WAIT
The world is in end-times. It is not good for the USA. Calamities are coming. No politician has the answer. Only God can save America. Deception and division are prominent among our political leaders. Our hope, as the Church of Jesus Christ, is only in Christ. We must not fret over evil men or their deeds, but be stedfast in our faith in God. Whatever comes will not destroy (but will purify) the Church. God's plan will succeed, but these will be trying times for the Christian and for Israel. We must be persistent in prayer. Your endurance will be tested. Decide ahead of time to remain true. Don't wait until the fiery trial comes to decide whether to be faithful or not. Your mind must be made up ahead of time, by faithfullness, holiness, integrity and walking in the fear of God.
Wednesday, December 17, 2008
HEAVEN IS COMING
The world in in turmoil, but I am at peace. I have no money to lose in the stocks of this world; all my treasures are in Heaven. Though I am a stranger to this world, I have eternal citizenship in God's Kingdom. This world will pass, but Heaven will last, and it's getting closer with each passing day. I think old age is a way that God has made to help us to fall out of love with this life, and give us greater anticipation for that which is to come.
Sunday, December 14, 2008
About Shepherds' Hands
SHEPHERDS' HANDS is a not-for-profit organization, founded by Pastor Jerry Sanders, served by a board of other ministers and advisors. It's purpose is primarily one of the giving of aid to widows and orphans. St. James said, "Pure religion and undefiled before God and the Father is this: To visit the fatherless and widows in their affliction and to keep himself unspotted from the world." We also include evangelism and giving encouragement, instruction and aid to pastors in foreign lands, and doing other charitable works.
OUR MISSION STATEMENT: To continue the work of Christ, our Chief Shepherd, to His church, to build up, strengthen and encourage; and to reach out to the world as those outside of the fold of Christ.
OUR AREAS OF MINISTRY ARE AS FOLLOWS:
1. ORPHANS / ORPHANAGE
Country _____________________
Orphan’s name ________________
Orphanage____________________
2. WIDOWS
Food, Education / Job training, Equipment
3. PASTORS / EVANGELISTS / OTHER MINISTERS
Seminars, Education, Motorcycles, Bicycles, Equipment,
Bibles, Literature
4. EDUCATION / SCHOOLS
Children / Adults
5. CHURCHES
Bibles, Supplies
6. MEDICAL CLINICS
Medical supplies, Medical teams
7. CONSTRUCTION PROJECTS
Churches, Schools, Orphanages, Clinics, Hospitals
8. OTHER CHARITABLE PROJECTS
Well drilling, Other
9. EVANGELISM
Children, Crusades, Literature
10. ADMINISTRATION
Office supplies, Postage, Transportation, Salaries
OUR MISSION STATEMENT: To continue the work of Christ, our Chief Shepherd, to His church, to build up, strengthen and encourage; and to reach out to the world as those outside of the fold of Christ.
OUR AREAS OF MINISTRY ARE AS FOLLOWS:
1. ORPHANS / ORPHANAGE
Country _____________________
Orphan’s name ________________
Orphanage____________________
2. WIDOWS
Food, Education / Job training, Equipment
3. PASTORS / EVANGELISTS / OTHER MINISTERS
Seminars, Education, Motorcycles, Bicycles, Equipment,
Bibles, Literature
4. EDUCATION / SCHOOLS
Children / Adults
5. CHURCHES
Bibles, Supplies
6. MEDICAL CLINICS
Medical supplies, Medical teams
7. CONSTRUCTION PROJECTS
Churches, Schools, Orphanages, Clinics, Hospitals
8. OTHER CHARITABLE PROJECTS
Well drilling, Other
9. EVANGELISM
Children, Crusades, Literature
10. ADMINISTRATION
Office supplies, Postage, Transportation, Salaries
Tuesday, December 9, 2008
My Philosophy of Ministry
MY PHILOSOPHY OF MINISTRY
Having established a personal foundation of repentance, baptism and sanctification, out of that relationship with Christ, I give myself to devotion, searching the Scriptures, praying thoroughly over what is studied, and then to live out from that devotion a ministry to God, to the church and to the world by the power and guidance of the Holy Spirit.
The calling of God is a gift from the Holy Spirit. It is not necessarily according to natural abilities, but is implemented by the obedience of our abilities to the Holy Spirit. The anointing of the Holy Spirit is what brings the healing, deliverance, and the life changing preaching (Luke 4:18, 19). Flesh begets flesh, but the Spirit begets spiritual things (life). Christ must increase, but the preacher must decrease.
The work of the shepherd is one of service to the body of Christ. It is to preach the Word, visit the sick, seek the young and the lost, and to not make merchandise of the people (Ezekiel 34:15, 16; Zechariah 11:15-17).
The following is easier to say than to live, still they are guidelines that I take for my life and ministry: I will endeavor to abide in the Vine, to be filled with the Spirit and walk in the Spirit, to seek first the Kingdom of God, to hold fast to my faith, and keep the first love, to be little in my own eyes and esteem others better than myself, to be teachable, to be the servant of all, but maintain holiness, to take up my own cross daily and follow Jesus, to resist the enemy unto blood, and look for the coming of the Lord.
In such devotion, by the grace of God, I hope to be found faithful in His service when He comes.
Pastor Jerry D. Sanders
Having established a personal foundation of repentance, baptism and sanctification, out of that relationship with Christ, I give myself to devotion, searching the Scriptures, praying thoroughly over what is studied, and then to live out from that devotion a ministry to God, to the church and to the world by the power and guidance of the Holy Spirit.
The calling of God is a gift from the Holy Spirit. It is not necessarily according to natural abilities, but is implemented by the obedience of our abilities to the Holy Spirit. The anointing of the Holy Spirit is what brings the healing, deliverance, and the life changing preaching (Luke 4:18, 19). Flesh begets flesh, but the Spirit begets spiritual things (life). Christ must increase, but the preacher must decrease.
The work of the shepherd is one of service to the body of Christ. It is to preach the Word, visit the sick, seek the young and the lost, and to not make merchandise of the people (Ezekiel 34:15, 16; Zechariah 11:15-17).
The following is easier to say than to live, still they are guidelines that I take for my life and ministry: I will endeavor to abide in the Vine, to be filled with the Spirit and walk in the Spirit, to seek first the Kingdom of God, to hold fast to my faith, and keep the first love, to be little in my own eyes and esteem others better than myself, to be teachable, to be the servant of all, but maintain holiness, to take up my own cross daily and follow Jesus, to resist the enemy unto blood, and look for the coming of the Lord.
In such devotion, by the grace of God, I hope to be found faithful in His service when He comes.
Pastor Jerry D. Sanders
Sunday, December 7, 2008
At What Age Are We Mature
What do you think? Shouldn’t there be a set age when God says, “Okay, you’re good, no more trouble for you; just sit here and rest until the others catch up.”? If there is such an age it must be past sixty-seven, or maybe I missed it while I was in Africa.
The Scriptures that are catching my attention most, of late, are those that have to do with perseverance. They tell me that endurance is not optional, but very necessary. Even in old age there is to be no slacking off. The trials keep coming, revealing what is inside of me, and most of what I see in me, I don’t like. Sixty-seven years is not long enough to become perfect (mature). I am still having to learn obedience by what I suffer. Even the trials of my own causing, God seems to smile at and say, “Okay, I’ll use that too.” He reaps where He has not sown.
The Scriptures that are catching my attention most, of late, are those that have to do with perseverance. They tell me that endurance is not optional, but very necessary. Even in old age there is to be no slacking off. The trials keep coming, revealing what is inside of me, and most of what I see in me, I don’t like. Sixty-seven years is not long enough to become perfect (mature). I am still having to learn obedience by what I suffer. Even the trials of my own causing, God seems to smile at and say, “Okay, I’ll use that too.” He reaps where He has not sown.
Humorous Secret Told About Myself
WHEN I WAS THIRTEEN
When I was in the seventh grade I had a crush on an eighth grade girl. She was very pretty and was a majorette in a marching band. In my mind I can still see a picture of her posing with her majorette uniform and baton. I never talked to her. She didn’t know me. It was a silent, secret romance known only to me, as was the relationship with most all of my childhood girl friends, (and there were a few), yet I was the only one who ever knew.
When school was out for the summer I was thinking about her one day. So, I decided to pull up my courage and call her by telephone. I was home alone. I looked her last name up in the directory, “McKim.” I nervously dialed the number. A girl answered. I stammered out, “Does a Miss Jackie McKim live here?”
“This is she,” was her reply. Wow! First call, first one, the very one who was my heart’s throb was on the line. I noticed how proper her English grammar was. My palms were sweaty. I stammered out my rehearsed line,
“I… I… I just wanted to say… that I love you.” Then I quickly hung up the phone (Those were the days long before caller I.D. was even thought of). I sat there in nervous silence. I was afraid by what I had done. I was afraid the phone was going to ring and someone was going to say, “What did you do a stupid thing like that for?”
But there was no ring; the telephone remained silent. I finally got up and went about the day, vowing never to do a dumb thing like that again.
LESSON: After 54 years I still remember this incident clearly. Why? I remember her name, what she looked like, what I said, and the way I felt. I think it must be because it was such a traumatic experience, and a departure from my usual secretive personality. It has made me think, trauma is not such a bad thing when it makes such an imprint on our memory. Perhaps there are bad things we wish we could forget, but if all our traumatic experiences were forgotten, we would, no doubt, keep making many of the same mistakes.
This incident is humorous now, but at the time I would have never dared to tell a soul about what I had done. I saw this girl once more about a year later. It was during a visit of our eighth grade class to the high school we would attend the next school term. I still did not talk to her, nor try to get her attention in any way. It was enough just to look and remain silent. She was still very pretty. I never saw her again, for we moved away to Oregon before the next school term began. Pretty girls always made me crawl back into my shell. Fortunately, I grew out of my shyness long enough to tell Lois I loved her and not hang up, or or I would not have the family I have today.
When I was in the seventh grade I had a crush on an eighth grade girl. She was very pretty and was a majorette in a marching band. In my mind I can still see a picture of her posing with her majorette uniform and baton. I never talked to her. She didn’t know me. It was a silent, secret romance known only to me, as was the relationship with most all of my childhood girl friends, (and there were a few), yet I was the only one who ever knew.
When school was out for the summer I was thinking about her one day. So, I decided to pull up my courage and call her by telephone. I was home alone. I looked her last name up in the directory, “McKim.” I nervously dialed the number. A girl answered. I stammered out, “Does a Miss Jackie McKim live here?”
“This is she,” was her reply. Wow! First call, first one, the very one who was my heart’s throb was on the line. I noticed how proper her English grammar was. My palms were sweaty. I stammered out my rehearsed line,
“I… I… I just wanted to say… that I love you.” Then I quickly hung up the phone (Those were the days long before caller I.D. was even thought of). I sat there in nervous silence. I was afraid by what I had done. I was afraid the phone was going to ring and someone was going to say, “What did you do a stupid thing like that for?”
But there was no ring; the telephone remained silent. I finally got up and went about the day, vowing never to do a dumb thing like that again.
LESSON: After 54 years I still remember this incident clearly. Why? I remember her name, what she looked like, what I said, and the way I felt. I think it must be because it was such a traumatic experience, and a departure from my usual secretive personality. It has made me think, trauma is not such a bad thing when it makes such an imprint on our memory. Perhaps there are bad things we wish we could forget, but if all our traumatic experiences were forgotten, we would, no doubt, keep making many of the same mistakes.
This incident is humorous now, but at the time I would have never dared to tell a soul about what I had done. I saw this girl once more about a year later. It was during a visit of our eighth grade class to the high school we would attend the next school term. I still did not talk to her, nor try to get her attention in any way. It was enough just to look and remain silent. She was still very pretty. I never saw her again, for we moved away to Oregon before the next school term began. Pretty girls always made me crawl back into my shell. Fortunately, I grew out of my shyness long enough to tell Lois I loved her and not hang up, or or I would not have the family I have today.
Wednesday, December 3, 2008
THE TRIALS OF DELAY
THE TRIALS OF DELAY
“You cannot get on this flight.”
“What?” I asked, consternation all over my face. This can’t be happening, I thought. Surely if I talked with this agent this could all be resolved. She just doesn’t understand the situation here. Lois already had the seat assignments in her hand.
“You do not have enough pages in your passport. You need two full visa pages or you cannot go.” There were more pages in the book, but they were not “visa” pages. So, to emphasize the finality of the situation the agent took the seat assignment cards back from Lois and tore them in two right in front of us.
Wow! What do we do now? There was nothing left to do, but schedule an appointment with the US consulate back in Seattle, and then fly back to Washington State. We did so, wondering what it all meant. It took another four days until we were heading back to Atlanta for the second attempt to leave the country for Tanzania. This time we were not turned away, but continued on our journey without any unnecessary delays.
After the conference we left Dar Es Salaam on the 12th of August, arriving in Johannesburg with just enough time to catch the flight to Atlanta, except we were not on the list. The harried agent behind the desk was having problems. He would not talk to us and declared the flight was already closed. We would have to go to the airline desk and list for the next day. We have friends in Johannesburg; it was not a big problem, only a one day delay. Okay.
Next day, we were on the list, but were told we would probably be bumped off in Dakar, Senegal. I had anticipated that, so I had gotten the telephone number of a missionary in Dakar. I was not too worried at this juncture. It may be interesting to spend a night in Dakar and see another country first hand. Perhaps I would be able to speak at the Bible College (It never happened. I don’t think the school term was even in session).
Sure enough, though we did get on the airplane, when we arrived at Dakar they took us off again. So began the saga of trying to get back on the airplane every night for one whole week. It was always too full, except for one night (the 3rd night). That night the baggage handlers decided to have a strike. There was some loud shouting, a lot of standing around, baggage was piling up around the check-in place. Finally, the baggage handlers walked out of the building. A few airline employees were left holding the bags. One of them came to us and said, “We are not taking on any extra passengers tonight. Just go home.” We left.
Now, there was hesitancy inside me. (I think, the Holy Spirit). But I had already called the missionary and asked him to come back and pick us up. The battle took place in my mind. We reluctantly took our bags outside and waited for the ride back to the mission station. It was 2:00 AM. My spirit remained grieved through the night. I listened to my mind and to others, but missed the message of the Holy Spirit. After we left the airport our names were called to get on the flight, but we could not hear for we had already left the area. God did not give us another chance for several days. How important it is to recognize the voice of the Spirit and simply obey. I believe that is why the Bible tells us to sanctify our mind, so that it cooperates with the Spirit, rather than reasons against Him.
There is a lot more to the story. The short of it is we flew all the way back to Johannesburg, thinking we would have a better chance of getting to the states by taking a different airline through Paris. That did not happen either. There were other delays. Finally we boarded on Monday, Aug. 25th, a flight that took us all the way back to Atlanta. There was an hour and a half stop in Dakar. I was stressed, waiting for the door to shut, which would indicate that no one would be taken off the flight. I was reminded that, “Whatsoever is not of faith is sin,” and felt like I was just sinning all over the place with my lack of faith. But God showed us mercy in our weakness and we arrived back at our home the evening of Aug 26, exactly one month from the start of the most eventful mission trip I have had so far. And Lois was a part of it all.
“You cannot get on this flight.”
“What?” I asked, consternation all over my face. This can’t be happening, I thought. Surely if I talked with this agent this could all be resolved. She just doesn’t understand the situation here. Lois already had the seat assignments in her hand.
“You do not have enough pages in your passport. You need two full visa pages or you cannot go.” There were more pages in the book, but they were not “visa” pages. So, to emphasize the finality of the situation the agent took the seat assignment cards back from Lois and tore them in two right in front of us.
Wow! What do we do now? There was nothing left to do, but schedule an appointment with the US consulate back in Seattle, and then fly back to Washington State. We did so, wondering what it all meant. It took another four days until we were heading back to Atlanta for the second attempt to leave the country for Tanzania. This time we were not turned away, but continued on our journey without any unnecessary delays.
After the conference we left Dar Es Salaam on the 12th of August, arriving in Johannesburg with just enough time to catch the flight to Atlanta, except we were not on the list. The harried agent behind the desk was having problems. He would not talk to us and declared the flight was already closed. We would have to go to the airline desk and list for the next day. We have friends in Johannesburg; it was not a big problem, only a one day delay. Okay.
Next day, we were on the list, but were told we would probably be bumped off in Dakar, Senegal. I had anticipated that, so I had gotten the telephone number of a missionary in Dakar. I was not too worried at this juncture. It may be interesting to spend a night in Dakar and see another country first hand. Perhaps I would be able to speak at the Bible College (It never happened. I don’t think the school term was even in session).
Sure enough, though we did get on the airplane, when we arrived at Dakar they took us off again. So began the saga of trying to get back on the airplane every night for one whole week. It was always too full, except for one night (the 3rd night). That night the baggage handlers decided to have a strike. There was some loud shouting, a lot of standing around, baggage was piling up around the check-in place. Finally, the baggage handlers walked out of the building. A few airline employees were left holding the bags. One of them came to us and said, “We are not taking on any extra passengers tonight. Just go home.” We left.
Now, there was hesitancy inside me. (I think, the Holy Spirit). But I had already called the missionary and asked him to come back and pick us up. The battle took place in my mind. We reluctantly took our bags outside and waited for the ride back to the mission station. It was 2:00 AM. My spirit remained grieved through the night. I listened to my mind and to others, but missed the message of the Holy Spirit. After we left the airport our names were called to get on the flight, but we could not hear for we had already left the area. God did not give us another chance for several days. How important it is to recognize the voice of the Spirit and simply obey. I believe that is why the Bible tells us to sanctify our mind, so that it cooperates with the Spirit, rather than reasons against Him.
There is a lot more to the story. The short of it is we flew all the way back to Johannesburg, thinking we would have a better chance of getting to the states by taking a different airline through Paris. That did not happen either. There were other delays. Finally we boarded on Monday, Aug. 25th, a flight that took us all the way back to Atlanta. There was an hour and a half stop in Dakar. I was stressed, waiting for the door to shut, which would indicate that no one would be taken off the flight. I was reminded that, “Whatsoever is not of faith is sin,” and felt like I was just sinning all over the place with my lack of faith. But God showed us mercy in our weakness and we arrived back at our home the evening of Aug 26, exactly one month from the start of the most eventful mission trip I have had so far. And Lois was a part of it all.
WHEN YOU WERE HURTING
I was there when you were hurting and I wept with you, but I knew your time of healing would come, and that your relationship with Me would be stronger than if you had not been hurt at all; so I allowed your suffering. Someday you will see as I have seen.
You will then understand and weep no more, but rejoice in My love for you.
You will then understand and weep no more, but rejoice in My love for you.
THE ACCENT OF MAN
I was thinking of how some people speak with accents. God speaks “God,” but we speak His words with the accent of men. In Uganda I sometimes could not understand their English, and I would have to ask them to repeat what they said, maybe even spell it. I would have had no trouble understanding if I had grown up with them, but I came from another place. I wonder, if when we speak the words of God and they are not correctly understood by others, is it because we have not grown up with God and we speak with the accent of men? Too much time may be spent listening to men or to ourselves and not enough time spent with God.
Tuesday, December 2, 2008
STAY ALERT; TAKE A STAND!
November 6
The election is over. Beware of complacency. We need to remain vigilant. Those who have an understanding of the times will continue to have a sense of urgency to prepare against the flood of ungodliness that will come against those who name the name of Christ.
The time to be shoring up your defenses is now. Our test will be as great or greater than the children of Israel had in the wilderness, which the Bible called the Day of Provocation (Hebrews 3:7-15). You will be partaker of Christ, only if you hold fast to Him to the end. Faith-filled endurance is now the key ingredient for these days. Our attitude will need to be, “This world is not my home; I’m just a passing through.”
The laws of our land will turn against true Christians. Legislation will be passed outlawing a list of hate crimes that will restrict what a preacher can preach. There will arise an outward church that conforms to this world’s agenda, but a supernatural church will go underground, just as it is already in many persecuted countries. Deliverance will not come from our government. Yet, the church will be purified by the battle.
What I am describing is certainly a foreboding picture, but it is the church’s finest hour to excel (and for individual believers). The potential will abound for more joy, victory, power and greater experience with a genuine relationship with God. We will see God move in great deliverance, as well as, in the giving of grace to endure the trials we face. Yet, those who have no deep spiritual root will succumb and fall away from God.
It is not a time for getting caught up in the world‘s system. If you would see Heaven, make the choice now to seek God earnestly for yourself and your family. I do not think the end is right now upon our heads, but I do think our time to procrastinate is gone. Where you are right now with God, or where you will now determine to be with Him, is most likely the place you will be when Jesus returns. Watch and pray. The spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak.
Along with the persecution of Christians there will be minor judgments of God on our nation, Natural disasters will increase, such as, earthquakes, storms, droughts, flooding, etc. Attacks from terrorists will continue to come. Devastations will take place that will cause many to panic. Whatever can be shaken will be shaken.
It is time to hold on to what is solid and cannot be moved. Your house, hope, life, family, is only as secure as whatever you have built them upon. Christ is our only sure foundation. No weapon, plan, counsel or scheme of man or devil can succeed against God. Whatever the storms may bring, you will not be moved, if you are anchored in Him.
The election is over. Beware of complacency. We need to remain vigilant. Those who have an understanding of the times will continue to have a sense of urgency to prepare against the flood of ungodliness that will come against those who name the name of Christ.
The time to be shoring up your defenses is now. Our test will be as great or greater than the children of Israel had in the wilderness, which the Bible called the Day of Provocation (Hebrews 3:7-15). You will be partaker of Christ, only if you hold fast to Him to the end. Faith-filled endurance is now the key ingredient for these days. Our attitude will need to be, “This world is not my home; I’m just a passing through.”
The laws of our land will turn against true Christians. Legislation will be passed outlawing a list of hate crimes that will restrict what a preacher can preach. There will arise an outward church that conforms to this world’s agenda, but a supernatural church will go underground, just as it is already in many persecuted countries. Deliverance will not come from our government. Yet, the church will be purified by the battle.
What I am describing is certainly a foreboding picture, but it is the church’s finest hour to excel (and for individual believers). The potential will abound for more joy, victory, power and greater experience with a genuine relationship with God. We will see God move in great deliverance, as well as, in the giving of grace to endure the trials we face. Yet, those who have no deep spiritual root will succumb and fall away from God.
It is not a time for getting caught up in the world‘s system. If you would see Heaven, make the choice now to seek God earnestly for yourself and your family. I do not think the end is right now upon our heads, but I do think our time to procrastinate is gone. Where you are right now with God, or where you will now determine to be with Him, is most likely the place you will be when Jesus returns. Watch and pray. The spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak.
Along with the persecution of Christians there will be minor judgments of God on our nation, Natural disasters will increase, such as, earthquakes, storms, droughts, flooding, etc. Attacks from terrorists will continue to come. Devastations will take place that will cause many to panic. Whatever can be shaken will be shaken.
It is time to hold on to what is solid and cannot be moved. Your house, hope, life, family, is only as secure as whatever you have built them upon. Christ is our only sure foundation. No weapon, plan, counsel or scheme of man or devil can succeed against God. Whatever the storms may bring, you will not be moved, if you are anchored in Him.
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